Steam-trap



T. HAIGHT.

STEAM TRAP.

- APPLICATION FILED NOV- 7. 1916 Patented Mar. 9,1920.

IIIllII/I.

. UNITE srAr fs PA E T onion.

. valve lever taken on the plane indicated by through. the valve and float lever, being THEODORE HAIGI-YIT, or BROOKLYN, N W YORK, ASSIGNOR TO PLANT ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT 00., INCQ, OF NEW YOR-K, N. Y., A CQRIORATION OF NEW YO BK.

STEAM-TBA?! To all who mil may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODORE HAIerrr, residing at 582 Second streetf-Brooklyn, New York, N. United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Traps, of

' struction shown and described, as it is ob vious that various modifications thereof within the scope of the claims persons skilledin the art.

In said drawings: i Figure 1 is a vertical section through my will occur to I improved trap;

, Fig. 2 shows'the float lever and the ant matically actuated trap valve in side elevation, at part of the float being shown in section atthe outer end of the lever;

' Fig. 8' isatransverse section through the line" 4-4;

Fi 4 is a ers ective view of-the' valve removedfroni its casing;

Fig. 5 1s a plan view of the valve and float lever 1llustratednn'F g. 2,;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the float lever and automatic valve shown'in Fig. '2, but show ngthe reverse sidethereof; I I

Fig. 7% is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6; and

Fig/Sisa verticalsection through a per- 7 tion of the valve wherein the valve and valve casing are so arranged. as to form an ag1- tatmg chamber.

This invention relates totraps of the type designed to'be included in systems wherein vapor is conducted through suitably formed conduits. As iswjell understood by those familiar wth such systems, a percentage of 'the vapor unavoidably condenses, and if the water of condensation is not extracted from the conduit'system, serious damage to apparatus forming a part of such system is the almost inevitable result;-

While the trap'hereindisclosed is admirably'suited for use as a steam trap and is Y and being a citizen of the Specification of Letters fatent. Patented D131. 9, 1920. Application filed November 7, 1916. Serial No. 129,994. I i

intended for the automatic removal of the water of condensation from live and exhaust steam lines, it may also be employed with equal "efllciency I in connection with evaporaga's mains, and the like. I

An automatically actuated valve forms an importantpartof my improved trap andis given a peculiar construction by reason of which the valve not only acquires greatertors, compressed air systems, high pressure than usual wearing surface, but also becomes self-protective by preventing the aca cumulationof such sediment therein as may findits wayinto the interior of the trap Contributory to the elimination of sediment accumulation in the valve, is a novel multiple-inlet port in the valve casing and also the formation of a valve and valve cas- I i ng which creates an internal valve chamber.

The valveitself, when actuated, wipes the valve seat, clearing the latter of sediment tending to adhere thereto, and the multiple inlet port causes the setting up of cross liquid currents which results in the avoidance of-the'precipitation of sediment. Moreover, an agitating chamber is formed in which the disturbed fluid washesthe sediment out of the valve chamber.

, A suitable' water seal is provided within the trapwhereby steam is always prevented from escaping, whether the automatic valve seal also assureswaterlubrication for such parts as; have] relative movement with respect to each other. I

Another novel feature resides inthe con llarged portion 2, preferably shaped tov coincide with the arcuate path. of travel of the float,' and a cylindrical portion 3 joining the enlarged portion 2 and givingaccess thereto. The outer end of the cylindrical portion 3 of the trap casing is recessed and ground, the cap 4: being ground and fitted to the recessed ,is actuated or not, The water forming this part of trap portion 3, and also being firmly bolted to afiange outlining the openend of the trap portion 3.

Closing cap a is provided with a boss 5 into which is screwed the casing 6 of an automatically operated outlet valve. I Said casing is provided with a horizontally disposed cylindrical bore into which is fitted a partially cylindrical, valve 7, the shell of the casing 6 surrounding valve 7 being provided with a multiple-inlet ort-comprising a pair of prefe ably vertically drilled apertures 8 and another aperture 9,.the axis of which is angnlarly disposed to the axes of apertures 8. Directly below the apertures 8 of the multiple-inlet port are arranged apertures 10 of an outlet port. which apertures open into a common outletpassage 11, said passage 11 forming the bore of a threaded extension 12 of the valve casing 6. As clearly seen in Fig. 1, threaded extension 12 of the valve casing isscrewed into the boss 5 of cap 4:, and, when the parts of the trap are disassembled, may remain conveniently attached to cap l, lessening the likelihood of the valve casingbecoming inislaid;

The valve 7, which is normally oscillatively mounted in the'horizontal bore of valve casing 6, is of peculiar constr ction and comprises; a substantially semi-cylindrical main portion 13 and dish-like end portionsl l and 14", It will, of course, be understood that the central or main'portion 12-3 may be changed to have a cross section which is greater or less than a semi-circle, without affecting the character of the valve.

Valve 7 is adapted to be oscillated about its axis in response to the raising and lowering of a float 15housed within the trap casing 1 to rise and fall with the water of condensation accumulated therein. Connec ion between float 15 and the oscillatory 'valve 7 is made through the medium of a forked float lever 16, the outer end of which.

is threaded into a cap 17 onto which the.

preferablyspherical float brazed.

will be noted thatthe end of cap 17 that projects into the interior of float 15' is closed 'to prevent the possible seepage of wateralong the threaded outer end of float lever 16 and into the float interior.

Except at its outer end, which is cylindrical and threaded, float lever 16 is prefer- I ably T-shaped in cross'section, the inner end of the T-shaped arm merging with a principally curved wall 18 which is of greater width than either the valve casing 6 or the valve 7 and from which extend re'arwardly projecting plate-like arms 19 and 19 The f rked end of the float lever 16, as formed by curved wall 18 and side plates 19 and 19, cooperates with the ends an aperture through which passes a screw 20 that extends mto a threaded hole 21 in the dish end 141 of valve T. Side plate 19 of the forked lever end, as shown in Fig. 6, contalns a slot 22 having mchned sides d1- vergent as they progress toward the open in fit therewith.

l3y reason of the peculiar connection of the forked end of the float lever 16 with the previously described disk ends 14: and 14: of valve 7, it becomes impossible to incorrectly assemble the parts. Not only is it impossible to improperly attach the forked float lever 16 to the valve, but it is necessary that the valve shall be properly positioned in the valve casing in order to secure an assembly of the parts. For example, should the float lever inadvertently be turned upside down, the perforated but unslotted plate side 19 will take its position on the lugbearing disk end 1% of the valve 7 and there 'will be no provision for the reception of lug lever 16 may be attached, provided the -valve is rotated to make the necessary accommo dation for accomplishing this connection, but the transverse edge 24 of the curved wall 18 will lie against the inner vertical upright face 25 of valve casing 6 and hold the float lever 16 at an exaggerated elevation from which it cannot be lowered, making it thoroughly evident that the float lever had been improperly attached. Also, when so secured in place, the float lever 16 can notbe moved down toward any of the normal positions the float 15 is capable of assuming. If the valve 7 is positioned with its trapezoidal lug 23 projecting from either side of the valve casing 6,but with the wider portion of lug 23 uppermost, said lug can not project into slot 22of plate 19 of the forked end of float lever 16, becauseof the sides of slot 22 converging, preventing the admission of valve lug 23. Furthermore, under these conditions, if the valve slips around to per-" mil: the entry of valve lug 23 into lever slot 22, while the person attempting the assembly is manipulating the float lever 16. the same abnormal positioning of said float. lever previously referred to will again occur when valve lug 23 extends from the wrong side of valve casing 6, audit will at once become evident that lever 16 is upside down and that the engagement of valve casing face 25 by the transverse edge 24? of curved wall 18 of lever 16 will prevent the downward movement of the float lever. There is, as a matter of fact, but one way in which the forked float lever may be attached to valve 7 and this is the/intended Way.

Having of necessityproperly placed the valve in the horizontal bore, of valve casing 6 and attached the float bearing lever 16. to

said valve 7, the valve'fioat lever 16 and V float 15, may be inserted through the open end of portion 3 of trap vl, cap 4 coming into proper-position and being secured in place. The trap 1, being properly included in a suitable steam or other system, steam or other vapor may enter the inlet port'26;

ofthe trap, and it is preferable that the test cook 27 be opened to induce a strong flow 0t steam tofirst heat the trap, after which said cock maybe closed.

- When thefloat rises in response to a continued accumulation of the water of condensation, float lever 16 will rock valve 7 clockwise until the'multiple-aperture outlet port 10 is uncovered, whereupon the water,

under steam pressure, will pass out through this port into passage :11 and through the outlet .pipe 28.. A certain amount of the water of-condensation will, however, remain in the trap and maintain the valve 7'and its seat in casing 6-continuously sealed, thus preventing any escape of steam.

During the rocking of valve 7- to permit from Fig. 7,;disturbs'the currents from inlet apertures '8' to outlet apertures 10, and is 7 itself deflected by contact with the fiat face of valve portion- 1 3 ,developing agitation in the internal valve chamber. The edges formed by the curvediand' flat facesof portion 1 3 of valve 7'. clear the valve. seat of Y sediment, and in conjunctionwith the fluid agitation scavenge the valve and the valve seat; Such small-amounts of sediment as mayenter the valve chamber between -successive automatic actuations of the valve will thus; be freed from adhesion to the valve and its seat and will be carried out of the valve chamber 29. The condensation again begins to". accumulate untilthe water has-risen" to the level shown in Fig. 1" and the parts resume the positions'shown in that figure. a i 1 As'will be seen from an inspection of Figs. 5 and 7, the ends 14 and 14: of the valve 7 project beyond the sides of the valve casing 6. Also, it will beseen that the arms lQfand' 19' do not closely or snugly engagethe valve casing sides. This form of construction will permit the valve 7 to slide as Well as to rotate in the bore of the casing. .These two movements will tend to dis-.

tribute the Water of condensation over the valve for lubricating purposes.

lVhen the-trap has ,beenin service fora long time and it is desired to thoroughly cleanse the same, the drain or blow-oft valve 30 may be opened, whereupon the sediment that has accumulated in the bottom of trap 1 will be washed out, and what is not carstea-m. "Shutting off valve 30, the trap is then in condition to resume. its usual operation.

lVhile in the trap illustrated in the drawing the multiple-inlet port in the valve casing '6 comprises a pair of apertures 8 and a single larger aperture 9, it will, of course,

be readily understood that the apertures 8 maybe consolidated into a single aperture withoutin the least destroying the multipleinlet port characteristicof the valve. Likewise, the pair of outlet apertures. 10 ma, where it is found desirable, be consolidated into a single opening. in either case may retain good mechanical Such consolidation 'ried out by the liquid maybe blown out by I form by partaking of the nature of a cored hole having an area equivalent to the combined areas of the separate apertures. .What Iclaim iszx I .1. In combination in a trap of the class described, a condensation-collecting receptacle, a valve structure mounted therein comprising a valve casing and a valvecooperating to form an internal valve chamber v between themselves, there being a plurality of. inlets to and anoutlet from said chamber, means automatically operable by trapcontained condensation for actuating said valve to allow the escape of,;condensation from said receptacle, to prevent the total escape thereof and to. establish a valvecleansing passage through said valve structure.

- 2; A trap of the class described, including a condensation-collecting receptacle hav.-

ing a-fl uid inlet and an outlet, a condensation sealed valvestructure mounted in-said receptacle, which comprises avalve casing and 'a valve forming an internal valve chamber, said casing' provided with inlet and out.- let ports. the latter port being in communication with the receptacle outlet, and means controllable by the trap-contained condensa tion. for actuating said'valve to permit the escape of aportion of the condensation and to place certain of said ports in communication with each other to form a fluid passage through which; the fluid circulates when the valve outlet ispartly closed and for producing variouslv directed fluid currents to scavenge said valve. and valve seat.

3. A steam trap valve structure Which comprises a ported valve casing, a valve rotatable in the casing and having its ends projecting beyond the sides thereof, a float lever having a forked end composed of plates, one of which is provided with an aperture and the other with an open-ended trapezoidal recess, a trapezoidal lug on one end of the valve to seat in the recess, and means cooperating with the apertured plate and the other end of the valve for removably securing the lever and valve together.

a. A steinless valve having substantially a;cylindrical form with the central portion cut away to form a flat face on one diameter, and a trapezoidal lug projecting axially from one end of the valve, the other end of the valve being formed to cooperate with a screw. 7

Incombination in a trap or the class described, a condensation collecting receptacle, a valve structure therein comprising a valve-casing containing a substantially cylindrical bore and inlet and'outlet ports, a cylindrical valve mounted in said bore having ends exposed at opposite ends thereof, a valve-actuating float-bearing lever having a "forked end embracing said valve ends, means for connecting said fo'rked lever to the valve ends sothat said levercan only be attachedto said valve in a single predetermined manner and position, and means for detachably securing and rigidly holding the valve and lever together. i

6. In combination in a trap oi the class described, a condensation collecting receptacle, a valve structure therein comprising a valve casing provided with inlet and outlet ports and valve mounted in said casing and having exposed ends,-a valve-actuating liloat-bearing lever having a forked end embracing said valve ends means so connecting said lever and valve that the latter can only be attached to said valve in a predetermined manner and position, and means "for detachably securing and'rigidly holding the valve and lever together.

7. In combination in a trap oi the class described, a condensation-collecting receptacle,a valve structure therein comprising a valve casing provided with inlet and outlet ports and an oscillatory valve mounted in said casing and having exposed ends, a valveactuating float-bearing lever having arms embracingsaid valve ends, one arm being slotted, a lug extending from one oi said valve ends and shaped to receive said" slotted lever arm in one manner only and a different type of connection between the other valve end and the other lever arm.

'8. A steam trap valve structure which comprises a valve casing, a rotatable valve mounted therein, and having a trapezoidal lug on one end, a forked float lever adapted to be removably secured to the valve, and screw means to removably secure the fork to one end of the valve.

erable therein, anda float lever adapted to be removably secured to the valve in but one predetermmed manner and position.

11. A steam trap valve structure, which comprises a ported casing, a valve operable therein, a that lever engageable with. the ends oi and adapted to be connected to the valve in but a single predetermined manner and position of the lever, and means for detachably securing the lever to one end of the valve.

12. A valve structure, whichcomprises a ported valve casing, a rotatable valve mounted therein to control certain oi the ports and capable ofsliding transversely of the casing, and a float lever cooperating with both ends of the valve and secured to one end thereof, said lever being adapted toimpart movement to the valve, one end of the lever be ing approximately t shaped and the transverse portion thereof being curved to serve as a cover for the casing during certain positions of the float lever.

18. A valve mechanism which comprises a ported valve casing, a rotatable and slideble valve mounted therein, said valve having a wedge-shaped lug on one end, a float lever having one of its ends bifurcated to form arms that are adapted to engage with the ends of the valve, one of the arms being pro vided with a recess having" a configuration similar to the lug for engaging therewith, and screw means for securing the other arm to the other end of the valve for retaining the lever and valve in operative position.

14:. A device of-the class described comprising a valve structure havingan openended cylindrical bore provided with radial ports spaced circumferentially, a, stemless valve insertible into the bore and having one end flat and the other end provided with a wedge-shaped projecting lug, a forked float lever, said lever being adapted for engagement with the ends of the valve in a single predetermined manner by having one ofthe arms of said lever provided with an openended wedge-shaped slot tocooperatewith the lug, and means for detachably connecting the lever to the valve through a cooperative action with the flat end of said valve.

15. A device of the class describedcomprising a valve casing having-an open-ended cylindrical bore provided with radially arranged ports spaced circumferentially, one

of said ports serving as an outlet, a stemless rotatable valve insertible in saidbore, said fiat andprovided witha threaded hole, and

the other end having a wedge-shaped lug projecting axially therefrom, the intermediate portion of the valve being cut away to form a flat face on a diameter thereof, a float lever having a forked end composed of substantially parallel flat plates connected by a curved wall forming the transverse portion of the fork, one of said plates being provided with a hole adapted to register with the threaded hole in the end of the valve, and the other plate provided with a slot adapted to slidably engage the lug in one way only, and screw means passing through the hole in the lever plate and into the threaded hole ofthe valve for detachably holding'the lever and valve together.

16. A device of the class described co1nprising a valve casing provided with a valve bore therethrough, said casing being provided with ports, a rotatable valve mounted in said bore, and adapted to control certain of said ports, a float lever having ayoke at one end, which yoke is composed of spaced side plates joined and spaced by a curved wall, and means for detachably securing and rigidly holding the lever and valve together,

adapted to be connected to the ends'of the valve, and means carried by said valve and said arms of the fork for detachably securing and rigidly holding said valve and lever together in but one predetermined rclation of valve and easing. V

18. A device'of the character described 7 comprising a ported valve casing, a rotatable valve in said casing, a unitary forked end lever adapted to be connected to the ends of the valve with the valve in but a single and predetermined relation to the casing, and means for retaining the valve and lever in their connected position.

19. A device of the character described comprising a ported valve casing, a rotatable valve in said casing, a forked lever, unitary cooperative means carried by the lever and valvefor detachably uniting said valve and lever in but one predetermined manner and removable means acting to maintain the cooperative unlon.

20. A valve casing having an open-ended boretherethrough serving as a valve chain her, a threaded nipple outlet extending from the casing transversely of the vertical diameter of the" bore and communicating therewith, ports in said casing, certain of said ports forming outlet ports having communication with the nipple, another port communicating with the bore and on another diameter thereof, the upper portion of the wall of the casing surrounding the bore be a lug extending transversely across the 'major portion of the other end, said lug being formed with sides, two of which tend to converge toward each other. I

In witness whereof I have hereunto set m hand.

THEODORE HAIGI-IT. 

